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Crime

All charges against campaigner Zack Griffiths dropped

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Judge orders authorities to review Zack Griffiths’ recall after CPS admits case cannot proceed

PRISON reform campaigner Zack Griffiths has had all charges against him formally dropped, after the Crown Prosecution Service admitted there was no realistic prospect of conviction.

Mr Griffiths, who has been recalled to custody for almost six months, appeared in court this week for a brief hearing which lasted only two minutes. The CPS told the judge that it would not proceed with the case, conceding that there was insufficient evidence.

The judge directed that the National Offender Management Service and Probation must now be informed immediately in order to consider lifting his recall and to seek his early release.

Zack Griffiths has been highlighting problems at Parc Prison, Bridgend where he was formerly incarcerated

Prominent figure in prison reform

Griffiths is a well-known figure in Welsh prison reform circles, having set up the HMP Prisons’ Justice Group UK. The organisation has attracted thousands of supporters online, including former inmates, families of prisoners, and campaigners concerned about conditions in custody.

Through the group he has publicised allegations of corruption, drug smuggling, violence, and repeated deaths in custody at HMP Parc in Bridgend. He has also drawn attention to concerns about mental health provision, understaffing, and failures in prisoner supervision.

His outspoken criticism of the prison system has won him a following but has also put him on a collision course with prison authorities, politicians, and parts of the criminal justice establishment.

Zack griffith just before he got arrested in cardiff court, WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

A thorn in the side of the system

Supporters say that Griffiths has been punished for refusing to stay quiet. His arrest earlier this year was linked to online posts in prison reform groups, including a video allegedly recorded inside a prison. While malicious communications charges have now been dropped, Griffiths spent months in custody on recall while the CPS pursued the case.

Critics inside the prison system see him as a disruptive influence, accusing him of spreading damaging allegations and fuelling unrest among prisoners and their families. Others argue he has highlighted real issues that the authorities would prefer to ignore.

Allegations made against senior officers at HMP Parc – including claims by a whistleblower that one officer had said Griffiths would be “killed” if he returned there – have further inflamed tensions.

Campaigners celebrate, questions remain

Prison reform campaigners: Tom Blewitt and Zack Griffiths

Tom Blewitt, of the UK Prisons for Justice Group, welcomed the decision. He said:
“Today confirms what we have known from the very beginning – that Zack had no case to answer. He has lost nearly six months of his life when he should have been out here enjoying life with his family and friends. He should never have been recalled.

“We welcome the CPS decision to drop the charges, but that decision has come five months too late. We hope Zack is released at the earliest opportunity and we cannot wait to welcome him home, where he belongs.”

As of Thursday evening it was not clear whether Griffiths would be released immediately, or whether further delays within the probation service could keep him behind bars for several more days.

What is certain is that his case will further fuel debate about the use of recalls, the accountability of prison authorities, and the treatment of outspoken campaigners who challenge the system from the inside.

 

Crime

Two men bailed after Fleming Crescent burglary report

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TWO men have been arrested following a reported burglary at a property in Haverfordwest.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers were called after a residential burglary was reported at Fleming Crescent on Sunday (Apr 26).

The incident is understood to have taken place sometime between 8:35pm and 11:55pm.

Residents reported seeing police tape and several police vehicles in the area at around 9:49pm.

A police spokesperson confirmed that two men, aged 25 and 28, both from Pembrokeshire, were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Both men have since been released on bail.

 

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Crime

Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault

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WHEN a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.

But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.

Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick,  who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewhelin, causing her actual bodily harm.

The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewhelin arrived.

“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.

“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”

Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.

But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewhelin.

“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.

 “She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms.  But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s  job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav. 

“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass.  She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”

Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months.  During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.  She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewhelin, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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Crime

Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit

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A Pembrokeshire farm worker has  lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.

When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.

At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out.  These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.

James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.

“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said.  “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”

Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.

James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.

 

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